Going Down In Flames Review Blitz

If her love life is going down in flames, she might as well spark a revolution. Finding out on your sixteenth birthday you’re a shape-shifting dragon is tough to swallow. Being hauled off to an elite boarding school is enough to choke on. Since Bryn is the only crossbreed at the Institute for Excellence, all eyes are on her, but it’s a particular black dragon, Zavien, who catches her attention. Zavien is tired of the Council’s rules. Segregated clans, being told who to love, and close-minded leaders make freedom of choice almost impossible. The new girl with the striped hair is a breath of fresh air, and with Bryn’s help, they may be able to change the rules. At the Institute, old grudges, new crushes, and death threats are all part of a normal day for Bryn. She’ll need to learn to control her dragon powers if she wants to make it through her first year at school. But even focusing on staying alive is difficult when you’re falling for someone you can’t have.

My Rating: ♥♥♥♥

I really enjoyed this book-it reminded me of a cross between Harry Potter and The Vampire Academy, which I really liked. When we first meet Bryn, she is walking to her parents store when she notices some guys beginning to follow her. Like any smart female, she goes into a brightly lit coffee shop that is filled with people and calls her parents. What follows changes her whole life forever.

At times, Bryn did annoy me. She was immature at times, but I gave her leeway because of the situation she found herself in. I think finding out you are a shape-shifting dragon, hauled off to a boarding school where you are viewed as a freak, gives her some rights to her attitude. She develops a crush on Zavien, who was the one who followed her into the coffee shop.

I must say I did like Zavien. He had moments of being an insensitive prick, but he made up for that. He is always honest with her, and cares about her, which is important for Bryn in an environment that is very hostile. It doesn’t hurt that he is dishy.

The book does move a tad slowly. It takes a while before any real action happens, but the characters are engaging, and I can’t wait to read the second book.

About Chris Cannon

Chris Cannon lives in Southern Illinois with her husband and her three dogs, Pete the shitzu who sleeps on her desk while she writes, Molly the ever-shedding yellow lab, and Tyson the sandwich-stealing German Shepherd Beagle. She believes coffee is the Elixir of Life. Most evenings after work, you can find her sucking down caffeine and writing fire-breathing paranormal adventures. Going Down In Flames is the first book in Chris Cannon’s shape-shifting dragon series.